Washington Update: Week of June 5

2 MIN READ
Washington Update

Budget & Appropriations

  • Congress is back in session for the next four full weeks with a long to-do list. A top priority is dealing with the fiscal year 2018 budget and appropriations. House Republicans were expected to release a budget proposal this week for consideration — first in committee and then on the House floor. However, this looks to be slipping to later in June, more likely the week of June 19.
  • Republicans are still debating internally about what the fiscal year 2018 budget will look like and how to use reconciliation instructions.
  • While several members of Congress, including Republicans, have spoken against the Trump budget, we still expect the House Republican budget to include drastic cuts to programs like SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) and Medicaid, as well as international development programs. The Senate is not expected to release a budget resolution until July or later as they continue to focus on healthcare reform.
  • While neither chamber has introduced or passed a budget resolution, House and Senate leaders are weighing beginning the appropriations process soon.
  • Typically, by this time of the year, appropriators have begun drafting bills and considering them in committee so they can have bills finalized by the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. House and Senate appropriations committees are currently holding hearings about the budget but have not yet started drafting legislation.

American Health Care Act

  • The Senate is currently drafting a healthcare bill. We believe this bill will include cuts and restructuring of Medicaid. However, we do not have details yet
  • We are continuing to focus on senators representing Medicaid expansion states and states with older and more rural populations.
  • The Senate offices we are focusing on are: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), James Lankford (Okla.), Todd Young (Ind.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dean Heller (Nev.), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Bill Cassidy (La.), and Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.). 

Act Now!

Call (800-826-3688) or email your representative and senators and urge them to oppose budget cuts and harmful structural changes to SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and international development assistance. Cuts and harmful changes will increase hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. 

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